CUET Campus Shuts Down: Students Demand Return of Removed Vice-Chancellor
Students at Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET) have shut down campus activities. They began a full shutdown on Tuesday morning. This action followed the removal of Vice-Chancellor Professor Abu Sadat Mohammad Sayem. Students locked the university’s main gate around 8:30 AM. They then stopped all classes, examinations, and academic work.
The students are demanding that Professor Abu Sadat Mohammad Sayem be reinstated. They chanted slogans during their protest. The students stated they will not accept the decision to appoint a new vice-chancellor. They promise to continue their protest until Professor Sayem returns to his post.
Pritam Saha, a fourth-year student, spoke about the protest. He is from the Department of Mechanical Engineering. He said, “We want Sayem Sir as the vice-chancellor. This is our only demand.” Mr. Saha added that Professor Sayem should complete his full term. He stated that the protest will continue until this demand is met.
The shutdown has stopped all academic and administrative tasks at CUET. Official university operations are also suspended. Around 10 AM, the CUET Teachers’ Association held a demonstration. They stood in front of the vice-chancellor’s office. The teachers made the same demand as the students.
University Registrar Professor Humayun Kabir supported the demand. He said the teachers’ association made the request in a meeting. Professor Kabir stated that he also supports the call to reinstate the former vice-chancellor.
On Monday night, students also held a protest march on campus. They demanded Professor Abu Sadat Mohammad Sayem’s return. After the march, they locked the vice-chancellor’s office building.
Professor Abu Sadat Mohammad Sayem became CUET vice-chancellor on July 27. He served for only 56 days. On Monday, he was removed from his position. Professor Sheikh Shariful Alam from Khulna University of Engineering and Technology was appointed as the new vice-chancellor for CUET.
